Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 Laura Burton (books to read this summer .TXT) 📖

wanted to reach into the screen and squeeze his cheeks and plant a kiss on his head. Johnny had the ability to make the world seem simple and happy. She was envious of his charming innocence and happy attitude. His routine was strict. Each morning, they would Facetime and talk about their plans for the day. Without fail. It was her most favorite time of the day.

“What are you doing today?” he asked. “Will you sing it to me?”

Catherine put her brush down and studied the expectant smile on Johnny’s face.

“What? Oh Johnny, no I won’t sing my plans,” she said with a laugh. “I have a date.”

“A date,” he repeated, his rosy cheeks flushing even more than usual. He clapped. “Ma, Cathy has a date. She just told me.”

Catherine heard a woman’s voice reply from far away.

“Yes, she is, she just said she has a date,” he said indignantly.

A mature woman’s face appeared into view, her hazel eyes mirrored Catherine’s and seemed to bury into Catherine’s brain and judge her.

“Are you sure you think it’s a good idea to date so soon? After Calvin, I mean.”

Catherine straightened her back and chewed the inside of her cheek.

“It’s only brunch.”

“But you said it was a date, Cathy.” Johnny piped up, as he craned his head under his mother’s arm to look at the screen. Catherine studied the worried look on her mother’s face.

“Who is he? What’s his name?”

Catherine hissed at the sight of her mother picking up a pen and notepad, primed and ready to write down the details. Probably so she could search the mysterious man up after they hung up the call.

“He’s called Edward and he is a perfect gentleman. He gave me gas when I broke down yesterday.”

Johnny hiccupped as he chuckled.

“Gas,” he said to himself, amused. Catherine tilted her head and warmed to the memory of Edward’s awkwardness.

“I’ve always got gas.”

The memory sent a ripple of laughter through her core up to her chest.

Johnny proceeded to ask a hundred questions. Some of them he repeated multiple times. Catherine applied a final touch of lipstick and looked at Johnny with a sigh.

“Well, I’ve got to go. I’m running late.”

“Oh dear,” Johnny said, his face crestfallen as he looked around with worry.

“I didn’t mean I was late, sorry. I just mean I best go so I make it on time.”

“You don’t want to be late for your date Cathy,” Johnny said, clapping his hands nervously. Catherine picked up her bag and pulled on her jacket.

“Well, wish me luck. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Enjoy the lions.” She waved and Johnny’s face had a sunny disposition once more.

“Bye, baby sister,” he said waving both hands.

“Bye, big brother. Love you,” Catherine said as she blew him kisses, then she ended the call and Johnny’s happy face disappeared.

Catherine sat in her empty apartment for a moment, staring at the blank screen. Then she sighed. She missed home. Her family settled just outside the city, in the suburbs, while Catherine rented a place near Times Square.

She thought about what her mother said. Was it wise to date so soon after Calvin?

Calvin Whitehead was––until a month ago––Catherine’s boyfriend. They had only been together for a few months, but they were some of the most intense months of her life. He wanted to move in together and offered an ultimatum; move in or break up. When she told him she needed more time to think about it, he punched a wall. That made the decision easy for Catherine.

She cut ties with Calvin and the timing worked out. A couple of days later and she was on her tour. But being back in the city was stressful; she had to keep her guard up and flinched every time the doorbell rang. Having blocked him on social media and deleted his number, she knew he was out of her life, but there was still the nagging thought that he knew where she lived.

Could she really take up Louis’ offer, knowing how on-edge she felt about being in New York? And what was she doing going on a date with Edward so soon? If he knew how much emotional baggage she had surely, he would run for the hills at the first chance?

“It’s only brunch,” she said to the empty room, decidedly. What harm would it do? Besides, Edward did help her out, she owed him a drink at least. And she promised to go out with him if Fate brought them together again.

Now she truly was running late. She picked up her bag and without another thought, headed for the door.

Catherine pushed her way through the bustling crowd of people outside the busiest coffee shop in the city. Every table was filled, and a long line ran from the counter to the door.

“Catherine, over here.”

Edward was on his feet, with his fingertips on the metal table in front of him. Two steaming mugs sat waiting as Catherine shouldered her way through the people and joined him. Edward wore a relaxed shirt and a pair of light denim jeans. His defined, muscular forearms were oil stained, and the stubble on his face made his chin look dirty. She couldn’t decide if he was going for a particular look, or he didn’t care about looking smart for their date.

Or maybe this isn’t a date, and I’m an idiot.

“Hey there,” he said with a charming look on his face. He leaned in and brushed his smooth lips to Catherine’s cheek; his stubble grazed her skin. Then they both took a seat. For a moment, the two of them just stared at each other.

Catherine decided she was overdressed for the occasion. She had carefully pressed her skirt and fished out her most professional-looking chiffon blouse from the back of her closet. Her dark hair hung to her shoulders in soft waves and she had spent far too long perfecting the shape of her brows. Edward looked like he had just walked off the set of a Fast